This Glasshouse range of stepped attenuators features the 0.25W Takman Carbon resistors for both the Shunt type and Series resistor (the load). However there is an option to use other resistor types for the load. Also you have an option on which type of switch you would like to use and which configuration you would like, be it mono, stereo (mono balanced) or balanced stereo (XLR input, output). To explain, read on...

You have a choice of which switch to use:

Starting with the lower cost Blue range, using the 2 pole 24 way for the mono & stereo (one wafer is not used in the mono version) we are not offering this switch for the stereo balanced version. Then we have the all new Blore Edwards range of switches - the 1 pole 23 way for mono, 2 pole 23 way for stereo and the 4 pole 23 way for balanced stereo. These switches are high quality at a reasonable cost. Then we have the Elma switch, the most popular choice, using the 1 pole 24 way for the mono, the 2 pole 24 way for the stereo and the 4 pole 24 way for the balanced stereo. And finally the esteemed Seiden switches, with their fabulously smooth turning action. Here we have the 1 pole 23 way, 1 pole 34 way or 1 pole 46 way for mono, 2 pole 23 way, 2 pole 34 way or the 2 pole 46 way stereo and finally the 4 pole 23 way for the balanced stereo.

Load "Series" resistor choice:

At each step of your attenuator the signal always passes through the single load resistor, so making it a key component and well worth an upgrade. The standard resistor supplied with this kit is the 0.25W Takman Carbon resistor. Have a read of Neville Robert's reviews below if you need help deciding. Here are a few suggestions: 0.4W charcroft (the best in our opinion), 2W Audio Note Tantalums, 1W & 2W Shinkohs, AMRG 2W Carbon Films, 1W Takman Carbon Film & Metal Films and 5W & 12W Mills. To upgrade your Series resistor simply add 1 for a mono, 2 for a stereo or 4 for a balanced stereo of that resistor to your cart. So, for example, if you want to buy a 100K stereo stepped attenuator with the Charcroft as your load resistor, then simply add 2x 100k Charcroft to your cart.